How to Get Your Indiana Real Estate License: 2026 Guide

Indiana is another state that doesn’t use the “salesperson” title – everyone starts with a broker license (what other states call an agent). With 90 hours of education and a reasonable cost structure, Indiana offers a solid path into real estate across markets like Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, and the surrounding areas.

What You Need Before You Start

You need to be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED. Indiana runs a background check through both the Indiana State Police and the FBI via IdentoGO fingerprinting.

Like Illinois and Colorado, Indiana doesn’t have a “salesperson” license. Everyone starts as a broker. What other states call a “broker” is called a managing broker in Indiana.

Step 1: Complete 90 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education

The 90 hours are divided into three 30-hour modules. Each module ends with a 100-question exam that you must pass to move forward. You have 6 months from enrollment to finish all three.

Topics include Indiana license law, agency relationships, contracts, property ownership, financing, fair housing, disclosures, and property management.

Budget $450-$650 for education. Approved schools include Ivy Tech Community College, Indiana Real Estate Institute, Colibri Real Estate, Tucker School of Real Estate, and others on the IPLA-approved list.

Step 2: Apply and Get Fingerprinted

Submit your application through the IPLA Online Services Portal. The application fee is $60.

After submitting, IPLA sends you an email with a service code for fingerprinting. Use that code to schedule with IdentoGO:

• Cost: $38.20
• Schedule: in.state.identogo.com
• Processing: 3-4 days for Indiana residents, 7-10 days for out-of-state

Step 3: Pass the Indiana Real Estate Exam

As of February 2025, Indiana exams are administered by Pearson VUE (replacing the previous PSI provider). Testing is in-person only at Pearson VUE centers across Indiana – Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, Merrillville, Terre Haute, and more. No remote proctoring available.

How to Prepare

Indiana’s overall pass rate is about 64%, with the state portion (~51%) being significantly harder than the national (~68%). The state-specific questions on Indiana license law and regulations are where most people get tripped up.

• Focus on Indiana law. The state portion has a 51% pass rate for a reason. Indiana-specific agency law, disclosure requirements, and the new buyer agency agreement rules will be tested heavily.
• Take practice exams. Free resources: Real Estate Exam Ninja, AceableAgent, Easy-Prep
• Don’t skip the module exams. Your pre-licensing course has three 100-question module exams. Take them seriously – they mirror the state exam format and content.

If You Don’t Pass

Unlimited retakes within 1 year of your course completion. Each attempt is $55 with a 24-hour wait. You only retake the section you failed. If a year passes without passing, you redo the 90-hour course.

Step 4: Find a Managing Broker

Your license won’t be active without a sponsoring managing broker. You cannot practice real estate in Indiana independently as a new broker.

• Training matters more here. Indiana requires 30 hours of post-licensing education in your first 2 years. A good managing broker integrates this into their training program.
• Commission structure. Get the full breakdown – split, cap, fees, E&O insurance. Compare total costs across options.
• Technology and support. CRM, marketing tools, lead gen, transaction management. What’s included vs. extra.
• 2-year managing broker lockout. You can’t become a managing broker for at least 2 years, so choose someone you can learn from during that period.

Comparing brokerage models? Check out our team value breakdown or browse our eXp Realty guides.

Step 5: Complete Post-License Education

Within your first 2 years, you must complete 30 hours of post-licensing education focused on practical transaction skills. After that, continuing education is 12 hours per year (36 hours per 3-year renewal cycle). Managing brokers need at least 4 of those 12 hours in business management and legal topics.

Total Costs Breakdown

Indiana is one of the more affordable states. State fees total about $153. Your license renews every 3 years with 12 hours of CE required annually.

How Long Does It Take?

• Pre-licensing education (90 hrs): 3-12 weeks
• Application + fingerprinting: 1-2 weeks
• Exam scheduling + taking: 1-4 weeks
• License issuance: 2-4 weeks after approval

Most people complete the process in 2-4 months. Accelerated students can finish in as little as 6-8 weeks.